The third rider died, said Deborah Castillo, a spokeswoman with NCTD, which provides bus services on the Marine base. Neither she nor Finnegan could confirm if he died at the scene.

About a dozen passengers were on the bus when the crash happened, Castillo said. None was injured.

The bus driver was placed on administrative leave, as is standard practice following a fatal crash.

teri figueroa • U-T

Woman found dead by her son was strangled; husband sought

Escondido

An Escondido woman whose 11-year-old son found her dead in her bed last week was strangled, the Medical Examiner’s Office said Monday.

Police are still searching for her husband, Jesus “Tony” Flores Hernandez, 46, as a suspect in the killing.

Juana Jacinto Montalvo, 44, was found about 11 a.m. Wednesday morning in her mobile home on East El Norte Parkway near Conway Drive. That same day, Hernandez didn’t show up for work at his job in Vista.

He is a Latino with black, collar-length hair and brown eyes. He is about 5 feet 6 inches tall and weighs about 150 pounds. He drives a tan 2004 GMC Canyon four-door pickup, with a California license plate of 7D60443.

Police said anyone who sees Hernandez should call 911. Tipsters with information about him can call Escondido police at (760) 839-4722.

teri figueroa • U-T

Van loaded with pot, cocaine found in Walmart parking lot

national city

A van containing two tons of marijuana and 132 pounds of cocaine was discovered in the parking lot of a Walmart in National City, police said Monday.

The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration estimated the cocaine was worth $1.5 million and the marijuana $2 million to $4 million.

An officer spotted the white Ford van Friday about 4:25 p.m. at the store on Highland Avenue and thought it looked suspicious, Sgt. Alex Hernandez said.

The unlocked van, which had the driver’s side window rolled partially down, appeared to be weighted down, and it smelled of marijuana, police said. It had Baja California license plates.

The officer found wrapped bundles of pot in the cargo area and packages of cocaine in a duffel bag stuck between the front driver and passenger seats.

Debbi Baker • U-T

4 arrested in burglary attempt after being chased by police

el cajon

A police pursuit led to the arrest of four people who attempted to burglarize a house in El Cajon Monday.

A neighbor called police about 8 a.m. after seeing the men jump a fence at a house on Robbiejean Place near North Third Street. When an officer arrived, the men were running away in different directions, said Lt. Mike Moulton.

Within an hour, authorities arrested two boys, ages 16 and 17, and two men, ages 20 and 21, on suspicion of burglary, Moulton said.

Erin donnelly • U-T

Lifeguard rescues tourist from China off Fiesta Island

San Diego

A Chinese tourist nearly drowned off Fiesta Island on Monday.

The incident was reported about 2:40 p.m. near the entrance to the island, off East Mission Bay Drive, San Diego fire spokesman Maurice Luque said.

The victim, a man in his 50s, had jumped into the water to rescue his niece, also a visitor from China, Luque said. The niece made it to shore, but the uncle did not.

A lifeguard passing by when the 911 call was made was there within a minute and pulled the man out of the water. He was taken to a hospital.